City Council continues several items to next year

December 17, 2013

It was a busy final meeting of 2013 for the City Council during its regular meeting at City Hall Monday.

In fact, the length of the debate over the kayak club lease caused one item to be continued to the first meeting of 2014 on Jan.13, along with two other items.

A resolution that would urge tobacco retailers to restrict the sale of candy flavored tobacco products in the city was continued after the parties involved had to leave due to the length of time over the debate of the kayak club.

Meanwhile, another ordinance regarding a lease agreement with a local bait and tackle dealer faced such scrutiny that Councilmember Rick Williams agreed to continue the debate to next month.

D&D Matlacha Bait & Tackle was hoping to extend its lease on property at 3922 and 3926 Pine Island Road for five more years.

The lease would have covered two parcels of land instead of the five it had previously so the city could gain the revenues for parking on the remaining parcels, and would cost $3,000 monthly, plus property taxes and indexed rent increases and a percentage of the boat ramp fees.

However, Councilmember Jim Burch questioned why a request for purchase (RFP) wasn't required, which Mayor Marni Sawicki agreed should have been done.

Also questioned was the condition of the building, which city business manager Victoria Bateman said was in desperate need of repairs. She said the increase in rent would be used to do the needed work.

Williams said it would be wise to continue the motion so both sides could figure out the best course of action.

A resolution regarding a special exception that would allow the construction of a model home in a single-family residential area on Chiquita Boulevard was withdrawn until a date certain.

In other business, the city approved a resolution to approve the 2013-14 interlocal agreement for stray animal control services with Lee County. The city will pay about $740,000 this year, as opposed to the $861,000 it paid last year.

It also approved the issuance of revenue bonds for the purpose of financing three senior living facilities throughout the city.

The facilities will have a total of 120 units, with 48 of them to focus on those with Alzheimer's disease and a small percentage devoted to the poor.

The cost will be about $31 million and will bring about 100 full-time construction jobs and 60 full-time medical jobs upon completion.

The city will have no obligation with respect to the payment of the bonds.